Music to our ears: HaZamir, the Jewish teen choir

This year’s local chapter of HaZamir

Rimon understands the importance of allowing young artists the space, freedom, and resources necessary to explore their artistic selves. That’s why when Rimon had the opportunity last year to become a steward for the local chapter of HaZamir: The International Jewish Teen Choir, they jumped on it.

Seeing that HaZamir was seeking a new home, Federation reached out to David Jordan Harris, Executive Director of Rimon, to see if the program would be a good fit. Given Rimon’s commitment to teen arts education, the connection was logical.

 “We already have several teen initiatives, so there’s a certain efficiency for Rimon to host HaZamir. We’re in contact with lots of teens already,” David says.

Teen artists have their fair share of arts programs to get involved with through Rimon, depending on their passion. The annual Keren Or contest is opportunity for young writers and photographers to showcase their talents. Writers, visual artists, and photographers are eligible to participate in the Young Artist Mentorship program, where they are matched with a professional artist in their field of interest for a summer of intensive learning and inspiration.

With the addition of HaZamir, Rimon has a way to connect teen artists to yet another arm of the arts.

“We’re delighted that Rimon is now connected to teens through choral music, photography, writing, and the visual arts,” David says.

Involvement in the local chapter of HaZamir has expanded in the past year, drawing in 20 participants from six different synagogues, spread across the spectrum of Jewish experience—a nice jump from last year’s participation count of 14. In total, over the past seven years, 52 students have benefitted from the local chapter of HaZamir.

“The teens come from a wide variety of backgrounds,” David says. “That range is a real asset.  Teens can meet peers outside their usual circles.”

And not only is the choir an excellent way for teens to connect with their peers from other synagogues, it’s a fantastic way for them to learn Jewish choral music and to showcase their work at year’s end at an impressive concert venue in New York City. Beyond the local chapter, HaZamir draws participants from Israel to California, with 31 chapters in the United States and nine in Israel. Each spring, the chapters gather for a four-day festival in New York culminating in their performance. 2019’s performance took place at the David Geffen Hall at the Lincoln Center.

“It’s a phenomenal opportunity,” says David. “They’re working at a high level. HaZamir’s director, Vivian Lazar, has built HaZamir into an international choral phenomenon.” Her husband, Matthew Lazar, founded HaZamir and is the founder and director of the Zamir Choral Foundation, of which HaZamir is a program. A celebrated conductor, he set the bar of excellence for HaZamir, one of its distinguishing features.

HaZamir’s local chapter, led by Cantor Audrey Abrams of Beth El Synagogue, provides an educational framework to teach young singers about classic and contemporary Jewish music and to unite them not only with other musically inclined teens in the Twin Cities, but internationally.

This is Cantor Abrams’ seventh year with the organization. She views the HaZamir experience as being pivotal in many of the teen singers’ lives.

 “Often HaZamir alumni go on to establish and or sing in a cappella groups in college, join the alumni choir of HaZamir International and many have gone on to pursue careers in music. HaZamir alumni have become cantors, music educators, vocalists, Jewish professionals, and lay leaders. Today there are five HaZamir alumni who conduct HaZamir chapters and two who coordinate HaZamir chapters,” Cantor Abrams says. “There have been kids who have sung with the organization for four to five years who reflect upon it as the best thing they’ve done in their high school years.”

Fostering interest—both in music, and in community-building—from a young age is an essential piece of becoming an artist and a contributor in the world.

“Of course, our belief is that participation in the arts is not just for people with a so-called talent. It’s marvelous for everyone,” David says. “It disciplines the mind, opens the heart, and builds empathy.”

HaZamir Minneapolis/St. Paul will hold a local gala on February 23rd—stay tuned for forthcoming details!

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Looking for incredible upcoming events from Rimon? Check out the upcoming Rimon Artist Salon Series! The first one, “I Sing for Bathsheba: Looking for God in Drag,” will take place on Sunday, Nov. 24 at Studio Z in St. Paul. Get your tickets here or by calling 952-381-3449.